Thunderous Intentions
Fansided

4 Potential trades OKC Thunder make to further upgrade roster

By Lawrence George

Billy Donovan, OKC Thunder (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
Billy Donovan, OKC Thunder (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next
OKC Thunder GM Sam Presti
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – SEPTEMBER 21: Oklahoma City Thunder general manager and executive vice president Sam Presti addresses the media on September 21, 2016 at the Integris Health Thunder Development Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /

With free agency slowing down, the OKC Thunder have 15 players on contract entering the pre-season. But are the Thunder done with their moves?

As free agency slows and pre-season nears, the OKC Thunder appear to be done making moves. With 15 players signed to contracts, Oklahoma City have no roster spots to simply acquire players off the market. The Thunder need to either waive, stretch or trade for players to alter its current roster.

It goes without saying that OKC have concentrated on acquiring as many wings as possible, electing to occupy eight of the 15 spots with shooting guards and small forwards. However, this has caused an imbalance in the roster. With Patrick Patterson the only legitimate power forward, the Thunder are lacking front court depth. It would be wise for Oklahoma City to acquire another power forward should injuries arise.

The Thunder have three trade chips in Terrance Ferguson, Alex Abrines and Kyle Singler. TFerg is only 20 years-old and has tremendous upside as a three and D player. Presti never trades young assets on controllable contracts therefore its difficult to imagine trading him unless its a player that definitively raises OKC’s ceiling.

Abrines and Singler on the other hand are expiring contracts  and can be moved easily due to their small cap hit. The Spaniard is Oklahoma City’s purest shooter while Singler is nothing more than a locker room voice making close to $5 million. OKC also have their second round picks from 2020 on-wards.

The Thunder need to find a player(s) that can:

  • Shoot the ball from range
  • Can play power forward and capable of playing on the break
  • Performing a trade that doesn’t increase the luxury tax

Lets take a look three trade possibilities.

Home/Thunder Free Agency